Information for Online Students

How do I know if online learning is for me?

• Prior to the start of the academic term, sign up for a free Canvas Basics for Students at your local CCV academic center.
• Take our self-assessment to see if you’re ready for online courses.
• Contact an academic coordinator at your local CCV center or at the Center for Online Learning.

What computing skills will I need?

Experience in accessing and navigating the internet, composing and sending emails, uploading and downloading files, composing documents, and cutting, copying, and pasting text are essential skills for success in the online classroom.

What classes does CCV offer online?

CCV offers over 800 fully online courses each academic year, including an entire menu of general education and program-specific courses. In addition, many hybrid courses are available, combining online and in-person meetings. For online course offerings, view the course schedule.

Can I earn an associate degree fully online?

Yes. Many degree and certificate programs can be completed entirely online. Some students may need to take pre-college Basic Skills courses, which are offered at all twelve academic centers each semester. To determine whether or not you need these courses, refer to our skills assessment section.

How do I review online course materials before I register?

You will find general information, such as learning objectives and course descriptions, in the catalog. Faculty, textbook, and scheduling information, as well as software requirements for specific courses, are available in the course schedule.

How do I register for a course?

If you haven’t applied to CCV before, go to the Apply section and follow the instructions there. If you have been admitted to CCV, be sure to review our Register for Classes page and talk to your academic advisor.

How do I access my online courses?

All online courses can be accessed via the CCV Portal.

What if my username and/or password is not working?

If you are still having trouble logging in, submit a helpdesk request.

Where and when do I purchase textbooks for my online courses?

Approximately 30 days prior to the first day of the semester, the CCV Bookstore will open and you can order textbooks, if required, for all of your CCV courses. Visit the CCV textbook page for information on purchasing textbooks.

How will I know when my online classes start?

You will receive two email messages.The first is a test to locate incorrect addresses.The second will contain directions for logging in. If you do not receive an email by the first day of class, you should contact the Center for Online Learning immediately, either by phone at 802-334-4451 or onlineadvising@ccv.edu.

How do I access and forward my @ccv.edu email?

1. Visit http://mail.o365.vsc.edu/. You can also access webmail using the Access Webmail link found in the footer of every ccv.edu page.
2. Log in using your Portal credentials. Your username will be the first letters of your first, middle, and last names, and your birth month and day followed by zero. For example, Aretha Louise Franklin was born on March 25, 1942. Aretha’s username would be alf03250.
3. You will now be logged into your Office365 account. You may be presented with the home screen or your Outlook mail account.
   To Forward Your Email:
   1. Click on the gear icon in the top right corner.
   2. Under My app settings, choose Mail.
   3. You will now be on the Mail Options page. There are four different menu options on the left: General, Mail, Calendar, and People. Click on Mail.
   4. Choose Accounts from the submenu.
   5. Choose Forwarding.
   6. Choose Start Forwarding and enter the email address you would like your email forwarded to. You may also elect to save a copy of the email in your Outlook mailbox.
   7. When you are done click Save.

What can I expect in an online course?

As in any class, you will have projects to complete and deadlines to meet in your online class. However, unlike face-to-face classes, you won’t have anyone tapping you on the shoulder to remind you about deadlines. It’s important to read all of the information provided in your course site at the start of the semester. If you have questions, email your instructor immediately.

What kind of learning strategies work best for online courses?

Once you have a clear understanding of the course requirements, plan a weekly schedule that will help you meet all necessary deadlines. This schedule should include time to work independently on assigned readings, papers, quizzes, and projects, and time for logging on and participating in written discussions. As a general rule, plan to be online and participating in discussions at least 3 times per week.

Whom should I contact for technical or Canvas support?

For technical support, refer to our IT Support page.

Whom should I contact for academic support?

Please contact your academic advisor.

How can I learn more about the Portal and Canvas?

We encourage you to visit the training resources on our online learning help page. You can also contact your academic advisor to enroll in Canvas Basics for Students.

Do you have a current Desktop PC Operating System?

• Windows 10 (if you have an earlier version of Windows, *please* consider upgrading as soon as possible)  
• Mac OS X 10.11 or later
• Linux (a recent distribution, fully updated)
• Chromebook (but see below for software issues) 

Is your mobile device’s operating system up to date? 

• iPhone or iPad with iOS 12.0 or later
• Android (phone or tablet) with version 5.0 or later  

Note that Canvas makes a mobile app for both iOS and Android, which you can get from the Google Play Store or the Apple Store.  We definitely recommend it. 

Checking your versions varies from device to device.  On Windows, go to Start, Settings, System, About.  On a Mac, go to the apple menu in the upper left and choose About this Mac.  On Android, go to Settings, About Phone, Software Information.  On iPhone/iPad, 

What Web Browsers do you have access to?  

• Preferred:  Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox  
• Acceptable, but you may have issues: Microsoft Edge or Safari  

Please make sure whatever browser you’re using is updated to the very latest version.  You can usually go to Help/About, or on a Mac, go to browser settings, which will tell you the version and will often offer you a way to update if necessary. 

What internet connection(s) will you rely on? 

DSL or cable modem is highly recommended.  Area wireless and satellite can work, but you may run into speed issues and bad weather can affect your connection.

Are you prepared to communicate regularly via email?  

Remember, you already have a college email account, which you can access at https://outlook.office.com/owa/vsc.edu.  This email account will be where you receive messages and notifications from Canvas, your instructors, your advisor, and the College in general. 

What about Software?  

If you don’t already have a copy installed, VSC students and faculty have access to Word and Excel online.  You can access these and your personal storage space in OneDrive at https://www.office.com, using your VSC email address (your-login-id)@vsc.edu, for example xyz01010@vsc.edu.  

Some courses, for example accounting, business, computer, and graphic design, use specific software.  Please note that if you’re using a Chromebook, or a mobile device, it is very likely that such specific software will not be available for your device. 

Are you prepared for videoconferencing? 

In order to participate in video conferences, or to record audio or video to submit for assignments in Canvas, you will need a webcam and/or a microphone, or a mobile device with a built-in camera and mic.  

You can test your setup to verify you’re ready to use Zoom by joining the test meeting here: https://zoom.us/test